Return of the Groom

Saturday morning began with an Autumnal chill descending across the capital, as the day progressed it did little to lift. A massive day of sport in Edinburgh they said, but no doubt the main attraction was down East Fettes Avenue as the Maroon’s faced ESM in yet another derby encounter. A day the away side relished and the hosts withered just as the leaves had done of the trees surrounding the pitch. In absence of a reliable memory this commentator has invoked a touch of poetic licence for this piece.

Euan ‘The Dispenser’ Swan took his first with what appeared to be consummate composure, on second glance however the split second timing with which he smashed the ball through the on running keepers legs into the middle of the goal, can only be put down to one factor, luck. A subtle passing move and he was in, Nicholson wanted the ball back for a simple tap in at the back post, but Swanny went for it, and as they say fortune favours the brave.

A second followed later, another lovely move ended with the ball being fired towards the dirty zone. The former Aberdonian got a stick to it, towards goal you think? No. A lovely clearance travelling harmlessly wide of goal, only for an onrushing defender to divert back on target. The Dubious Goals Panel will likely award it to the hapless defender.

There are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe the performance of the returning hero, Gus, on Saturday. A man whose 2015-16 season has been hopelessly interrupted by the actions of impulsive young lovers. A wedding and subsequent honeymoon behind him, his sole focus will be to cement a return to the currently on form First XI squad. His brace, goals to grace any level, and an all action swashbuckling hand in another superb victory, will surely not go unnoticed by the selectors. You will hear more of this lad in the weeks to come, this writer can feel it.

Too some constant conversion from set pieces can be boring, but when Scott Sutherland rips the ball towards the target it’s far from boring. The man has ripped the back of some nets this season already and there is still some way to go. Unusually quiet from the short corners against ESM, he only managed the one from the first castle in the shorty routine, his other goal came from the penalty spot. A text book flick high to the keeper’s right. It’s fair to say if his conversion rate continues as it currently stands, National League 2 won’t have seen a goal tally like it. In response to local rumours, ScotBet have confirmed they are considering paying out on bets that the Watson’s Old Boy will not score from open play this season.

Fraser ‘The Commandant’ McCurdy also found his name on the scoresheet this week. A typical all round display from the Captain saw him find himself one on one with the keeper a few yards from goal. With feet work reminiscent of the now departed Michael Jackson, The Commandant shuffled one way then another, before slipping it past the dumbfounded keeper. A goal the squad was delighted to see, as the Captain adjusts to a deeper role this season, adding goals to his game will certainly help the clubs cause.

Lyam ‘The Quiet Man’ Hollis registered another from a short corner routine this week. While others around him were losing their heads, (notably Swarbs, who came up with the worlds most complicated short corner routine, before a group decision anointed Hollis to rip one from the top of the D) this man quietly keep his. He lined it up, the drag was good and tbh there was only one outcome. The ball flew into the backboard without so much as a thud, due to the cushioned back boards, a feature this writer will be contacting the SHU about, for undoubtedly bringing the game into disrepute. Nice goal Mr Hollis.

ESM did manage two consolation efforts but frankly they were not worth remembering, something about a big hit and a couple of deflections at the back post.

MOM – Gus
DOD - McKenna